Bhotekoshi torrent hit 32,933 people, 7,570 houses

NDRRMA is finalising Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment report

 

Kathmandu, Sept. 5

A preliminary assessment conducted under the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) has indicated that about 32,933 people were affected by the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River on August 26.

It damaged or affected about 7,570 houses, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) informed on Saturday.

Similarly, 55 kilometers of roads, 37 motorable bridges, and 68 suspension bridges have been destructed. The Department of Roads had informed earlier last week that the floods inflicted damage worth Rs. 20 billion to roads and motorable bridges alone.

The floods termed 'Himalayan Tsunami' damaged about 1,806 hectares of agricultural land, 13 hydropower projects, one solar power plant and two transmission lines. The assessment further indicates that 783 MW of hydropower generation capacity has been affected.

The complete report has not been published yet. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) informed that the expert team is working on the finalisation of the report which is likely to be ready by Sunday.

"Given the scale and extent of the damage caused by this disaster, a comprehensive Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) is being simultaneously undertaken to determine the full extent of loss and damage and the costs for rebuilding and reconstruction," the MoFA informed in a statement.

Meanwhile, the authorities are working on restoring road, electricity and telecommunication connectivity to the affected areas and on ensuring timely delivery of relief materials to the affected people.

According to the MoFA, the Nepali Army, together with a team of engineers, is working to restore the Galchhi–Trishuli Road by constructing a temporary bridge over the Tadi River. In addition, two cable pulleys have been made operational, one at Trishuli Indrenighat and the other at Devighat.

Experts arrive from Malaysia, Australia

Likewise, A 15-member Disaster Assistance and Response Team (DART) from Australia arrived here on Friday, while an 11-member Special Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) from Malaysia arrived on Saturday morning.

Tunnel rescue teams from India, China and Republic of Korea continue to work in coordination with the Nepali security agencies. Rescue support equipment, drones, load carriers and materials received from neighbours, friendly countries and international community are being used for these operations.

Additional equipment and technical personnel are being deployed to continue search and rescue operations at the affected hydropower projects, including Upper Trishuli 1, Upper Trishuli 3A, Upper Trishuli 3B, U216 Haku, Chilime and Langtang, among others.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry informed that 127 Nepali nationals who were stuck in Tibet due to the disaster or affected by it returned to Nepal on Saturday via Tatopani border point.

A total of 155 Nepalis had returned home on Friday through Tatopani. Earlier, a group of Nepalis were brought to Nepal via Korala border point with the coordination between Nepali missions in China and Chinese authorities.

As the Rasuwagadhi-Keyrung border is completely swept in the floods, tourists and pilgrims visiting pilgrims are also taking the Tatopani route to return to Nepal.

 

 Published in The Rising Nepal on 6 September 2026.